Workington

Workington Golf Club lies just outside the small town of Workington on the Cumbrian coast, about halfway between Maryport and Whitehaven. Formed as West Cumberland Golf Club in 1893, the club initially operated a 9-hole course on the other side of the town near Siddick.

After the course closed during World War I, the club reformed as Workington Golf Club and moved to its present location at Hunday Wood, where another 9-hole course was brought into play. A few years later, James Braid was called in to extend the layout.

John F. Moreton and Iain Cumming take up the story in this edited extract from their book James Braid and his Four Hundred Golf Courses: “Braid paid two visits to the site of an existing nine hole course, which resulted in eighteen holes opening in 1927.

The visit in 1925 was recorded by the local press who noted Braid was entertained to lunch by the committee, which indicates the high regard in which he was held for these were the days when professionals were not permitted to enter clubhouses.

His 10th and 11th holes are now a practice ground as new land was obtained permitting the construction of three new holes. He received £20 for his first visit. On his second visit of inspection in July 1927, he was quoted as saying the course ‘needed further refinements to the bunkers.

This was unusual, as normally Braid was adamant that his original plan was correct.”

Howard Swan was brought in during the early years of the new millennium to carry out a number of unspecified course modifications.